Heart of the Swarm will feature the all-new Zerg campaign revolving around Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, to continue the story started in Wings of Liberty.

The long-awaited expansion will also include the full Starcraft 2 multiplayer mode and add new units and features for players to take online.

A Collector's Edition will be available at retail, including a behind-the-scenes DVD and Blu-ray, a soundtrack CD, a 144-page hardcover art book and a Zerg rush mousepad for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (approximately £50).

A Digital Deluxe Edition will also be available for those who want to download the game, including the Torrasque skin for the Ultralisk unit, new Battle.net portraits and decals, a baneling pet in World of Warcraft and the blade wings item and a Zerg banner sigil for Diablo 3.

Anyone buying either the digital standard edition or retail version can upgrade to receive the Digital Deluxe Edition content for an additional $20 (about £12.60).

Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm will be available on Windows PC, including Windows 8, and for Mac computers.